A worthy sequel. Half of the film's dialogue consists of philosopher quotes, though, and it can get jarring; this being the opposite issue of the 2017 American take. Oshii could have done with some subtlety

This film expands on the first movie. At times the ontological questions about differences between humans and robots are more clearly stated than in the first film and it spends more time wrestling with the ethical dimensions of robot creation and use. Nobody or no-thing is totally clean in this movie, and it leads to some really uncomfortable situations. Some plot contrivances distract, but it is engrossing.

A darker, creepier film than its predecessor, but no less brilliant. The scope of its uncomfortably lucid musings on the literal prostitution of personal identity in a transhuman future is impressive. Especially when one considers this came after the first two "Matrix" films, which plagiarized many of the original's ideas. The melancholy dystopian cityscape in these films honesty rivals "Blade Runner."

A complex, disturbing work that is more a search for personal identity in a postmodern society, comprised of symbols and complex hierarchical structures (and therefore a film text that summarizes philosophy, like Baudrillard and Geertz), and NOT a standard actioner (as it was advertised). If you like your films nuanced and talky, then it's a masterpiece. If not, then you will be severely disappointed.